MOTOR UNIONS

Southland Times, Issue 20499, 30 May 1928, Page 7

MOTOR UNIONS

MEETING OF NORTH ISLAND BRANCH. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 28. At a meeting of the executive of the North Island Motor Union it was reported that the president and secretary had waited on the Minister of Justice in regard to the thefts of cars and their punishment. The Minister had stated that the law gave full protection if administered in full by the Magistrate. The Minister mentioned the difference between joyrides and thefts, and said that it was conceivable that if punishment was increased by three months, cases would be tried by juries and the question would arise of whether they would convict, punishment being imprisonment. He recommended each association to instruct a solicitor to press for severer punishment where theft could be proved and thus give publicity to a Magistrate’s power. The union decided not to press for an amendment to increase punishment. Mutual motor insurance was discussed at great length and it was decided that the discussion and a motion passed be not made public. A report outlining a scheme for the North Island Union was outlined by Mr W. H. Robieson. It was decided that the scheme which would give cheaper rates than the South Island scheme be placed before the association concerned.